‘Peanut patch’ could reduce severity of allergic reactions

 A newly developed skin patch packed with tiny traces of peanut protein could help thousands children who suffer anaphylaxis when they come into contact with the nut. New figures from Necker Hospital in Paris show youngsters who once faced the threat of a fatal reaction from the tiniest amounts of peanut protein can snack on the nuts after wearing the patch for a year. The breakthrough patch, called Viaskin Peanut, does not cause anaphylactic shock because the proteins stay in the skin and do not penetrate as far as the bloodstream. Immune cells recognise peanuts Worn on the arm or